Preseason is make or break for Packers’ Jordan Love
It’s been a less than ideal start to Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Jordan Love’s career.
Setting aside the off-the-field drama, Love has had fewer opportunities to grow than most first-round quarterbacks.
He’ll only be playing in his third career preseason game on Friday night despite entering the third year of his career. The exhibition season was canceled in his rookie year of 2020 due to COVID concerns and he was injured last year which limited him to two games. He’s a solid 24-for-35 (68.6 percent) in those two contests for 271 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Speaking of COVID, that has put a damper on his ability to get game reps. Not only was his rookie preseason canceled, but he’s also had limited opportunities due to the related policies since he entered the league. This has removed many of his normal chances to go up against his peers in game-like situations.
It’s a critical juncture for Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Jordan Love who needs to play well this preseason or risk his future.
He’s also been buried on the depth chart behind a future Hall of Famer, a burden (or luxury, depending on how you look at it) that many of his peers drafted in the first round don’t have. As a result, he’s only started one game while getting helpful reps in another. All in all, he’s 36-for-62 (58.1 percent) for 411 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions in the regular season. It’s safe to say there’s work for him to do.
That brings us to this preseason. It’s unlikely Aaron Rodgers will play at all which means it’s Love’s world. He’s had an up and down training camp so far–making some spectacular plays, but lacking in other areas. The coaching staff and players appear to have confidence he’s trending in the right direction, but it’s time he shows it on the field.
Rodgers signed an extension that keeps him in Green Bay through the 2026 season if he decides to play that long. If he retires–as he hinted at this offseason–the Packers need to find out what they have in Love.
The coaching staff probably has some idea after working closely with him over the last three years and seeing him in practice daily. However, Love needs to prove himself against live competition in the preseason. Sure, it’s not the same as real games, but it’s as close as he’ll get until he takes over as a full-time starter somewhere.
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Love has a lot of arm talent and athleticism to supplement his throwing ability. He knows the offense well, having played for Matt LaFleur for three years. He has a hungry and deep wide receiver group who is looking to prove themselves as well. The table is set for Love to have a big preseason, now he just needs to make it happen or risk a career as a backup.